Research shows that 70 to 90 percent of our communication is nonverbal. Find out what your date is really telling you.

How to Become a Human Lie Detector

How to Become a Human Lie Detector

Body language is a reflex: Research shows that whatever we're feeling first shows up in our brain's limbic system, before showing up nanoseconds later in our conscious minds. But since so many gestures have multiple meanings, even the most highly trained experts only have around a 60 percent success rate of figuring out what physical responses mean.

So what are your chances of reading body language on an average date, especially once you factor in low lighting, two drinks, and maybe some Botox? And remember your own body language: The time spent changing outfits or planning what you are going to say next would be much better spent making your date comfortable enough to establish a "baseline."

To be a human lie detector, you have to establish a baseline or find out what is "normal" behavior for the person in question—so that you can tell when something is off. Getting to the baseline can take as little as three minutes. Ask your date an easy question like what he wanted to be when he grew up or his greatest passion. Once he’s relaxed, observe the four C's—comfort, context, consistency, and clusters.

What's His Comfort Level?

What's His Comfort Level?

Comfort: According to former FBI agent and body language expert Joe Navarro, we have to first ask ourselves a very basic question: Is his overall body language comfortable (leaning toward you, torso and feet pointed in your direction with a comfortable amount of eye contact) or uncomfortable (facing away from you, hands hidden, either staring at you or constantly breaking eye contact)?